If you’re a dog mom, you know taking your pup out for a walk in the rain is a necessary evil. With the right dog rain jacket, rainy days can be a lot less miserable for both of you!

In this blog post, I’ll help you find the best waterproof jacket for dogs.

I walk my labradors every day… through rain, sleet, and sometimes snow! I’ve tried everything from a budget dog raincoat to a luxury high-performance all-weather jacket and a few in between.

Fun fact: some of my favorite dog jackets come from women-owned small businesses! I love to support women in the pet industry!

I’ll also explain why it’s important to have a dog raincoat in the first place. If you’ve never had one, it’s a game-changer!

One last thing before we dive in… I’ve always had labradors. So the coats I’ve tested and reviewed here all work for large dogs and small dogs. It can be hard to find clothing to fit big dogs, but I got you covered here!

This post may contain affiliate links. I appreciate when you shop with my links! It costs you nothing but it helps me grow my business and reach more pet parents! 

What Style of Waterproof Jacket is Right for Your Large Dog?

There are a lot of dog raincoats to pick from. How do you know what style is best for your dog?

First off, I would consider your dog’s breed. That’s going to give you so much information to help you pick the right coat for inclement weather!

Some dog breeds can easily get cold in wet weather. Short-haired dogs or those with a thin coat will feel the cold more. If that describes your pup, an insulated waterproof dog coat would be perfect for them.

Small dogs can also get cold easily. So if you’ve got a little dog, make sure to get a coat that will keep them warm as well as dry.

If you’re a new dog mom, I have some advice on how cold is too cold to walk the dog – even with a jacket!

On the other hand, large breeds with lots of fur like a labrador or Newfoundland likely don’t need the extra warmth. For these types of dog breeds, a waterproof raincoat is all about keeping their fur dry so you don’t have to clean them up as much after a long walk in the pouring rain.

Body shape matters, too! If your dog is long and skinny, like a Greyhound, they will need a different style of coat than a dog who is short and stocky, like a Corgi.

Deep-chested breeds, like Boxers, can be hard to buy clothing for. If you have a dog with a unique body shape, you’ll want to check out the coats below that have custom or semi-custom fits available.

There are also dog coats made specifically for certain activities like hiking or city walks. I’ll mention which ones below are more rugged for dog owners looking for something their dog can wear while running around in the woods.

5 Best Large Dog Raincoats and Waterproof Coats

I’ve been able to test many different dog jackets with my labs over the years. A lot of people tell me “labs don’t need coats!” I used to agree, but my opinion changed a few years ago.

I bought my old dog Lola a fleece coat for the winter. In her last couple years as a senior dog, she was cold outside in the winter and the coat made her love going for walks on cold days. I saw my senior dog loving life again. It was so worth it!

Since that first coat, I’ve embraced using raincoats for my labs.

I started with a very affordable style and used it for years (the RC Pets one below). When I had the chance to get a nicer coat I realized how many great styles are out there!

The budget pick still works, but in my reviews below I’ll explain why I love the features of the other 4 dog raincoats on this list and how to pick the best waterproof dog jacket for your pup and your lifestyle.

In my expert dog mom opinion, these are the five best raincoats for large breed dogs on the market. And by the way, 4 of the 5 jackets here come from woman-owned businesses! You know I’m all about supporting women petpreneurs!

Overall Best Waterproof Jacket for Big Dogs: Voyagers K9 Apparel Rain Coat

This is the first upgraded waterproof dog raincoat I got after using our budget style for years. What I love about the Voyagers K9 Apparel Rain Coat is how easy it is to get on and off and how much coverage the waterproof exterior offers.

When Lucy wears this on a rainy walk, the only parts of her that get wet are her face, her legs and paws. It’s incredible!

I also love that this coat is easy to put on and take off Lucy. I just slide it over her head (like her Ruffwear Harness) and then adjust the velcro around her mid-section.

It doesn’t seem like a big difference, but having the slide-on head opening makes things much easier than an opening that needs to be fastened around their neck.

It’s the little things that make a difference when you’re trying to put a jacket on your dog!

• Lightweight and very durable. This dog coat is made from a tough, breathable and waterproof material The fabric is designed to let the water roll off so it doesn’t make a “drip drip” noise that might bother some dogs.
• I love the adjustable straps on the neck and body so you can get a good fit on your dog. The Voyagers K9 Apparel Rain Coat also has a velcro closure belly wrap for extra protection against the elements (and less muddy undercarriages!)
• Integrated opening for leash-to-collar attachment (this opening lines up really well for Lucy’s collar).
• This coat comes in 18 different sizes that are designed to fit various breeds and their body types. Need something really specific? Order a custom raincoat for your dog!
• You can also choose from a variety of bright colors that all include reflective piping to help with your visibility on nighttime walks.
• Everything from Voyagers K9 Apparel is made in the USA
• Starting at $138

Note that there is no insulation in this coat. If you want waterproof and warmth, you can layer with a thin fleece dog shirt underneath or check out the other options on this list.

Best Dog Raincoat on a Budget: RC Pets Packable Rain Poncho

This dog rain poncho is great for dog moms on a budget because it’s very affordable and it does the job!

It’s not as fancy as some of the other coats on this list, but it will keep your dog mostly dry during a walk in light rain. I used the RC Pets Rain Poncho for years with my dogs.

• The RC Pets Packable Rain Poncho is made from a polyester shell with a waterproof coating.
• The fabric does “rustle” which some dogs might not like.
• Design features include a hood and adjustable belly strap.
• Comes in a lot of fun colors!
• Available in 7 sizes from XS to XXXL.
• Starting at $15

This rain jacket has an opening to connect a leash to your dog’s collar. But in my use, the opening on this poncho never lines up in the right spot. It’s too low on my dog’s neck to reach the collar but too high to reach a harness.

This means that I connect the leash to my dog’s collar above the neck opening, so the jacket doesn’t stay up on my dog’s neck. Depending on the weather conditions, my dog will have a very wet head and neck in this jacket. It does the job in light rain.

One thing to note is that this poncho does not have any chest coverage and the belly strap is really just for keeping the jacket in place.

This means that the underside of your dog will still get pretty wet with this one. If you have a tall dog, that might not matter. If you have a dog with short legs, you might want to pick something this more underside coverage.

Best Insulated Waterproof Dog Jacket: Wildebeest All Weather Jacket

This dog coat is made for getting outdoors with your dog in all kinds of weather! The Wildebeest All Weather Jacket has a waterproof and breathable outer layer with a microfleece lining.

The insulation in this dog coat makes it one of my top picks for chilly morning walks or damp hikes in the colder months. It’s a versatile jacket that’s a good choice for winter weather depending on your climate.

I really like the hood on this jacket because it has a bill that you can fold up or down to give your dog’s head more or less coverage depending on what they like.

When it’s raining really hard, some kind of head coverage helps to keep my dogs dry and prevents water from getting in under the jacket. I like that this hood has as snug fit so it doesn’t blow down in the wind.

• This all-weather jacket has an adjustable fit thanks to velcro on the neck and on the belly strap so you can customize it for your dog. If your dog has a deep chest or a small waist, this can adjust to work for them.
• Insulated for cold weather with soft microfleece
• Reflective strips on belly strap & hood for nighttime visibility
• Made by a woman-owned business based in San Francisco
• Available in 3 colors
• Comes in 5 sizes from XS to XL *FYI Burt has on the XL and it’s a little short on him, but it fits Lucy well.
• Starting at $55 Get 15% off with code TORI15

When ordering any kind of dog clothing, take the time to measure your dog correctly.

I always check the brand’s size chart and compare my dog’s girth and length measurements to what they have listed.

Wildebeest recommends that you find your dog’s size based on their back length first and then double-check that the girth will fit. Back length is measured from the base of the tail to between the shoulder blades (base of the neck).

My 85 pound labrador Burt is wearing a size XL in the Wildebeest jacket in the photos above.

Best Eco-Conscious Waterproof Large Breed Dog Jacket: Goldpaw RainPaw II

The Goldpaw Series RainPaw II is made by a women-owned small business based in Portland, Oregon. All of their dog clothing is made in the USA from eco-friendly materials.

I love that they offer a wide range of sizes so you can find the perfect fit for your furry friend.

• This stylish raincoat is made of a waterproof and recycled fabric that’s soft and quiet.
• Mesh lining is perfect for warm season rain without overheating
• Adjustable neckline with a toggle so you can get the perfect fit for your dog.
• Opening to clip into a harness under the jacket
• Reflective piping for nighttime walks.
• Available in sizes XXS to XL.
• Starting at $69

This brand is very passionate about the environment. I learned that waterproofing is one of the biggest pollutant sources in our world’s waterways.

This fabric used by GoldPaw is non-toxic. In fact, it’s the same waterproofing found on cloth diapers.

I’ve seen the whole GoldPaw line in person and I’m always so impressed by their fabrics. I have a fleece onesie for my dog Burt because he likes to be toasty and warm. The fleece is so soft and never pills.

While the RainPaw jacket doesn’t have any fleece, it does use a soft, velvety, and stretchy material that’s unlike any of the waterproof jackets here. 

 

Best Adventure Dog Rain Coat: Hurtta Rain Blocker Eco

The Hurtta Rain Blocker Eco is perfect for active dog moms who love to hike and camp with their dogs no matter the weather.

The eco-version of this waterproof dog coat is made of a material that uses recycled plastic bottles.

This waterproof dog raincoat is the only one on this list that includes leg coverage. That makes it great for hikes and adventures in heavy rain because you know that no water or leaves will get under the Rain Blocker jacket.

Although I haven’t tried this exact style with my dogs, I have used a waterproof dog coat with leg coverage before. It really does keep your dog totally dry underneath!

Although it might seem like overkill, this style is a popular choice for people with dogs that are hard to groom. If your dog tends to get dreadlocks when they get wet, then you’ll know how worthwhile it is to keep them totally dry.

• The most rain coverage of any dog jacket here: covers approximately 80% of the dog!
• Flexible fit with back length adjustments and leg opening tightness control
• High collar with rain guard to prevent water from getting in
• Harness opening to clip in a leash
• Reflective trim throughout
• Starting around $55

Fit is really important when it comes to dog jackets (or dog clothes of any kind). There’s nothing worse than ordering something that’s too long or too tight and having to figure out the return process.

That’s why I picked all of these rain jackets for this list. These companies have all put a lot of effort into their sizing.

Not all small dogs are shaped the same, and not all big dogs are shaped the same. It’s complicated, right?!

Hurtta uses a proprietary sizing system based on measurement data from over 4,000 dogs across hundreds of breeds.

They looked at big and small dogs; dogs with short hair and long, curly hair; dogs who are active and ones who aren’t so much.

I like that when you order this rain jacket on the Hurtta website they ask for your dog breed and recommend the right size.

For Labradors, they recommend size 55 or size 60. I’ll compare my dog’s measurements to the size chart to find the perfect fit!

Honorable Mention: The Aegis by Molosser Apparel

I want to mention this jacket from Molosser Apparel because it’s so technically cool!

I had the chance to make Lucy one of their dog models andbe in an unboxing video. This jacket beat out brands like Patagonia and Nike for their use of Polartec® material that’s both waterproof and breathable.

This is the first dog jacket I used with sleeves and it really does keep the dogs so dry!

I love all the adjustable zippers on this jacket that let you make it snugger in the waist and roomier in the chest to get the perfect fir for your dog.

The only reason I hesitate to mention this style is that it costs $495! That’s out of the price range for a lot of pet parents. But, if you love high-tech athletic gear and want your dog to have the best… check it out!

Tips for keeping your large breed dog dry in wet weather

Make sure that you get the right fit for your dog’s new jacket. If their raincoat is too tight it can be uncomfortable for them and wear out any of the seams with waterproof taping (like the Hurtta jacket).

If a jacket is too big it can get twisted around while you dog is walking and let in water and wind.

To get the right fit check each brand’s sizing chart.

To measure your dog’s length, use a string or soft tape measure to measure from the base of their tail (where it connects to their body) to between the shoulder blades (below the base of your dog’s neck).

To get the girth, you measure the circumference of your dog’s chest at the widest point.

You might also need your dog’s neck measurement to order the right jacket for them. I use my dog’s collar to measure that. You don’t want it to be too tight, or too loose.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Waterproof Jacket for Dogs

Do big dogs need a raincoat? Some breeds like labradors have a waterproof double coat, but a lot of dogs don’t. Using a raincoat for walking your dog in the rain will cut down on grooming and clean up, prevent the wet dog smell in your house, and make your dog more comfortable to go out in any weather conditions.

What is the best waterproof dog coat for walks in the rain? You can see my top pick is the one from Voyagers K9 Apparel. But if you need a budget option, RC Pets is best for that. For an insulted waterproof dog jacket, the best one if from Wildebeest. For stylish and eco-friendly walks, I think GoldPaw Series is the best pick. And finally… if you want the most waterproof coverage available, the best choice is from Hurtta.

What can I do to tire out my dog on rainy days? Even with a great rain coat, you dog might not get as much exercise as normal when there’s bad weather. When you’re spending most of the day indoors, I reach for enrichment puzzles by Nina Ottosson (they’re the most durable) and DIY snuffle mats. Things that work my dog’s mind help tire them out when we can’t get outdoors as much.

To wrap it up, if you’re like me and walk your dogs regardless of the weather, it’s time to get your dog some protection from the wet weather. And what better way to do that than with one of these stylish waterproof dog jackets?

I’ve tried out a few different brands and models over the years and have found some great options for you in every price range. Let me know in the comments which one you end up getting for your pup and how they work out!

If you like this post, check these out:
UpCountry Tweed Winter Dog Coat Review
The Best Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboards for Large Dogs
Best All Natural Dog Chews for Tough Chewers
Easing Separation Anxiety Through Your Dog’s Nose!